HC Deb 29 March 1971 vol 814 cc1143-4
22. Mr. George Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the date on which he received the Welsh Council Report on Investment Incentives; whether he discussed this report with the Welsh Council when he attended its meeting on 19th/20th March; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The report was formally submitted to me immediately before Christmas, but I had previously discussed the conclusions with the Chairman of the Council. The contents of the report were not raised with me on 19th March. I am grateful to the Council and to the Panel for their thorough study of a complex issue. I shall be replying to the Council in due course.

Mr. George Thomas

Is the Secretary of State aware that this ill-considered report was very fiercely contested within the Welsh Council by our leading Welsh industrialists—I know my facts on this—and that this report—[Interruption.] I let my guard drop then. Is the Secretary of State aware that, despite this report, unless cash is provided for firms in their first two years whilst they are waiting to make their profits, we can expect far greater disaster amongst the new industries in Wales?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I am very interested to hear the right hon. Gentleman's views that this was an ill-considered report and also to hear his expressions of what went on at the Council. I do not believe that he is a member of the Council or of the Panel. The report, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, is extremely well thought out, and I found it very useful. I am considering it very carefully.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Kinnock, Question No. 23. I am sorry to be cutting down on the supplementary questions, but I should like to get to the end of Welsh Questions today, if possible.